Nintendo Enthusiast recently sat down with WaterMelon president Tulio Goncalves to discuss what to expect from Pier Solar HD, the enhanced port of Pier Solar and the Great Architects. Originally released on the Sega Genesis back in late 2010, Goncalves said the game was heavily inspired by classic JRPGs and was the first project by developer WaterMelon: “We dedicated a lot of time and effort and, while building this game, we always had those great jewels of the 90s RPGs in the back of our mind.”
After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the team is bringing Pier Solar HD to modern-day systems with over ten hours of additional gameplay and remastered visuals and sound. Other enhancements not seen in the Sega Genesis original include brand new environments and mini-games that can be played with up to four players. The game will be coming to a variety of different platforms, including but not limited to: PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox One, and PC. However, Goncalves hinted the Wii U version will feature gamepad-specific features: “We’re definitely putting the second screen to good use, a feature that will be exclusive of that platform.” He also hinted at the possibility of a Nintendo 3DS port, but held back on that, saying “that’s for later.”
Pier Solar HD tells the story of Hoston, whose father becomes incredibly ill, with the only way to cure him being a rare magical herb. Hoston, along with his best friends Alina and Edessot, will have to journey out across a vast and mysterious land of unknown dangers.
While a specific date for the title has not been set, Goncalves stated that the Wii U version would launch sometime in April: “The engine is practically finished, the major thing now is to finalize the HD assets.” Pier Solar HD is set to bring old-school mechanics and visuals together with modern day hardware on the Nintendo eShop this spring.
